Tribal Leaders in Kurram District of Pakistan Forge Peace Pact to Resolve Sectarian Tensions

Islamabad, March 30 (NationPress) Following prolonged conflict and a blockade lasting over six months in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province's Kurram district, tribal leaders from the Shia and Sunni communities have reached a consensus, announcing a peace agreement effective for eight months.

The tribal leaders representing both the Shia and Sunni sects have declared a ceasefire to the ongoing sectarian strife, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and rendered daily living unbearable for the local population, who have faced severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines, and other essential supplies for many months.

On Saturday, tribal authorities from Kurram district convened at the district headquarters and formalized a peace agreement aimed at restoring normalcy by reopening the Parachinar Tal main highway for regular traffic, re-establishing the Afghan border access linked to Kurram district, and adhering to the prior Kohat Agreement to ensure peace, safety, security, and stability within the district.

As stipulated in the peace agreement, both sectarian leaders have mutually committed to uphold the terms of the ceasefire and adhere to the signed accord, which enforces an eight-month cessation of hostilities regarding the sectarian conflict.

Both factions have consented to implement the provisions of the Kohat Agreement, a peace accord established between the KP government and tribal leaders on January 1, 2025. This agreement facilitates the formation of a specialized force comprising at least 399 members to secure the routes leading to Kurram district, dismantling of bunkers created by tribal factions to assail each other, surrendering of arms and munitions by tribal groups, negating the necessity for military intervention, and collaborating with governmental authorities to maintain peace and security in the region.

The peace agreement further mentions that both parties will engage in discussions whenever there are concerns or issues regarding the implementation of the agreement.

Moreover, tribal elders have consented that in the event of any breach of the agreement by either side, the tribal leaders from both sects will collaborate with administrative bodies, police, and law enforcement agencies to ensure that violators face legal consequences.

This peace agreement is of crucial significance for Kurram district, as the ongoing violence and sectarian disputes have claimed numerous lives, while for over six months, all access routes to the district and border movement with Afghanistan have remained obstructed.

The sectarian violence in Kurram district between Shia and Sunni groups has recently resulted in the loss of more than 150 lives, and this conflict has been a longstanding issue in the area for decades.

The KP government had initiated a new military operation in the district during February following several attacks on security personnel that resulted in multiple casualties among security officials.

Furthermore, aid convoys transporting essential food and medical supplies for Kurram district have also faced attacks in recent months.

However, with this latest peace agreement and ceasefire established between tribal leaders of the Shia and Sunni sects, local residents express optimism, viewing it as a new beacon of hope for the people of Kurram district and the promise of fostering an atmosphere of peace and understanding in the region.

The community members are hopeful that this new agreement will lay the groundwork for sustained tranquility in the area, leading to positive transformations in the lives of those who have endured the adverse effects of the years-long conflict between the two sectarian groups.